Axelite
A valid IMA mineral species
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Axel Gadolin
Formula:
Na14Cu7(AsO4)8F2Cl2
Colour:
Sky-blue
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
3.662 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
Named in honour of Axel Wilhelmavich Gadolin (12(24) June 1828, Somero, Finland - 15(27) December 1892, St. Petersburg, Russian Empire), the outstanding Finnish–Russian crystallographer, mineralogist and material scientist.
New structure type. Unique combination of elements.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
51987
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:51987:8
Similar Names
| Adelite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | CaMg(AsO4)(OH) |
| Adelite (of de Fourestier) | A synonym of Prehnite | |
| Atelite | A synonym of Paratacamite | |
| Ixolite | ||
| Oxalite | A synonym of Humboldtine |
IMA Classification of Axelite
Classification of Axelite
8.BA.
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
A : With small and medium-sized cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
A : With small and medium-sized cations
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Axe | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Axelite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Sky-blue
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
3.662 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Axelite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.678(4) nε = 1.650(4)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.028
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Chemistry of Axelite
Mindat Formula:
Na14Cu7(AsO4)8F2Cl2
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Axelite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4mm - Ditetragonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
P4bm
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.5957(2) Å, c = 8.3433(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.572
Unit Cell V:
1,777.41 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Tabular, rectangular crystals, sometimes in crusts.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.32 Å | (44) |
| 5.156 Å | (47) |
| 4.168 Å | (21) |
| 3.246 Å | (34) |
| 3.180 Å | (61) |
| 2.747 Å | (100) |
| 2.709 Å | (36) |
| 2.580 Å | (29) |
Comments:
From Type Description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Axelite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Tabular, quadratic, rectangular or stronger distorted crystals up to 0.02 × 0.1 × 0.1 mm, sometimes combined in interrupted crusts up to 0.4 mm across overgrowing sylvite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, registration number 5031/1.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Fumarole.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Axelite
Other Language Names for Axelite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BA. | Vladkuzminite | K4CuZn3(AsO4)4 |
| 8.BA. | Elramlyite-(Ce) | (◻0.67Ce0.33)Th2(PO4)2F3 |
| 8.BA. | Tomcampbellite | [KCl][Fe2+14(OH)6(PO4)6(PO3OH)2] |
| 8.BA.05 | Väyrynenite | BeMn2+(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BA.10 | Herderite | CaBe(PO4)F |
| 8.BA.10 | Bergslagite | CaBeAsO4(OH) |
| 8.BA.10 | Hydroxylherderite | CaBe(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BA.15 | Babefphite | BaBePO4(F,OH) |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Axelite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-51987.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Axelite
Reference List:
Hålenius, U., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2017) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2017, CNMNC Newsletter No 38. Mineralogical Magazine, 81 (4) 1033-1038 doi:10.1180/minmag.2017.081.062
Pekov, Igor V., Zubkova, Natalia V., Agakhanov, Atali A., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Belakovskiy, Dmitry I., Britvin, Sergey N., Sidorov, Evgeny G., Kutyrev, Anton V., Pushcharovsky, Dmitry Yu. (2023) New arsenate minerals from the Arsenatnaya fumarole, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. XIX. Axelite, Na14Cu7(AsO4)8F2Cl2. Mineralogical Magazine, 87 (1) 109-117 doi:10.1180/mgm.2022.120
Localities for Axelite
Showing 1 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Russia (TL) | |
| Hålenius et al. (2017) +3 other references |
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